Chapter 4 - SHADOWS OVER THE CITYThe Ghost of the DocksFor the next forty-eight hours, the city believed Prattasio Lori was dead.
Marco had seized control of the main Lori estate, declaring himself acting Don. To cover his failure at the chapel, Marco put out a massive propaganda hit: he claimed Elena had gone mad with grief, stolen her brother’s corpse with the help of rogue soldiers, and fled the state.
Marco placed a two-million-dollar bounty on Elena’s head—and a fifty-thousand-dollar bounty on Veto, ordering the dog killed on sight.
"They're searching every safehouse we own," Vincent reported, stepping into the subterranean room with a crate of military-grade hardware—automatic rifles, tactical vests, and suppressor units. "Marco has locked down the city borders. He's holding a grand council summit tomorrow night at the Grand Hotel Regal. He’s going to be officially crowned as the new Don by the heads of the Five Families."
Prattasio stood up. The poison was completely out of his system. He wore a tailormade black suit, his dark hair slicked back. Next to him, Veto wore a custom tactical harness with heavy Kevlar lining.
"He thinks he’s getting a crown," Prattasio said, pulling back the bolt of a suppressed submachine gun. "He’s getting an execution."
"Don Prattasio, they will have over fifty armed guards at the hotel," Elena warned, coming up beside him. "It’s a fortress."
"They have fifty men who fight for money," Prattasio replied, kneeling down to pet Veto’s broad head. "I have one friend who fights for my soul."
Veto let out a quiet, knowing huff, pressing his head against Prattasio’s hand.
"Elena, you stay here with Vincent," Prattasio ordered. "If things go sideways, take the boat to the offshore sanctuary."
"I’m not leaving you, brother," Elena insisted.
"You're not leaving me," Prattasio corrected gently. "You're going to make the phone call."
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"What phone call?"
Prattasio’s eyes flashed with deadly intelligence. "Call the captains of the lower districts. The ones who remember what this family stands for. Tell them to turn their television screens on at precisely ten o'clock tomorrow night. Tell them the resurrection is about to be broadcast."
